Having read the earlier book about the midsummer ball I was thrilled to get my gilt-edged invitation card to the house party at the Duke and Duchess of Brockmore's country estate. All the finest unattached men and women joined our cozy party, some at the request of the Duke of Wellington. The lavish dining and seasonal entertainments made for a fine old time. There may have been some SCANDAL AT THE CHRISTMAS BALL. And I daresay more than one romance was kindled. What else is the mistle bough for?

Marguerite Kaye and Bronwyn Scott collaborated on the earlier 'Scandal at the Midsummer Ball' with twin novellas of unlikely romances. Now they return to the same setting for winter fun and games. Skating, singing, kissing, decking the halls, all in the best possible taste.

Marguerite Kaye starts us off with A Governess For Christmas which introduces a former soldier, now out of society, seeking a wife to restore his respectability. Drummond MacIntosh is acting under orders from the Iron Duke, as the Duke of Wellington is known, but seems determined to disobey one more time by flirting with a mere governess. Joanna Forsythe, who was falsely accused of theft by an employer, falls fast in love with Drummond, but marrying her would not mend his reputation.

Bronwyn Scott continues the account with her saucy miss who is Dancing With The Duke's Heir. Vale Penrith has only recently become next in line to a dukedom after a few family deaths, and he is suddenly a far more eligible bachelor than he was. Lady Viola Hawthorne has no need of money and doesn't wish to marry, so she decides to behave as disgracefully as possible, and by flirting with Vale she can't damage his prospects. While technically the gentle Duchess, her hostess, is the chaperone, the young people find plenty of opportunities to slip off together for kissing and even passion. What would her mama have to say if she knew!

These good-hearted adult Regency romances make the most of the setting. I once more admire Marguerite Kaye particularly for developing characters on the margins of high society and whose past actions constrain their freedoms. The contrast is made stronger by Bronwyn Scott's merrier couple, full of the liberties of wealth and position. Which ever suits your mood, SCANDAL AT THE CHRISTMAS BALL is a wonderful Christmas stocking read, well researched and full of life.

Book Summary

One Christmas house party leads to two Regency love affairs!

A Governess for Christmas by Marguerite Kaye

At the glittering Brockmore house party, former army major Drummond MacIntosh meets governess in disgrace Joanna Forsythe, who’s desperate to clear her name. Both are eager to put their pasts behind them, but their scandalous affair will make for a very different future…

Dancing with the Duke’s Heir by Bronwyn Scott

As heir to a dukedom, Vale Penrith does not want a wife, and certainly not one like Lady Viola Hawthorne. So why does London’s Shocking Beauty tempt him beyond reason? Dare he try and tame her, or is a Christmas seduction the best way to bring her to surrender?

Read an Excerpt